THE QUESTION: R300: Why are black women more comfortable being big women, whereas white women feel they must be “Cindy Crawford” thin? POSTED JUNE 2, 1998 Jenifer N., 19, white, Panama City, FL ANSWER 1: In my African-American family, there are people of all shapes and sizes. Fat, tall, short, thin. No one teases anyone else; no one dismisses anyone …

THE QUESTION: R310: Why are there so many black TV sitcoms nowadays? It seems the number far exceeds the demographic numbers. Is it possible we are reverting to the days of Amos and Andy? Also, are black people offended by these shows? It seems to me they are a bit demeaning. POSTED JUNE 8, 1998 Wayne, 52, white male, WayneHD@aol.com, …

THE QUESTION: R320: I am white and live in a black neighborhood. Often, blacks walk down the middle of the street and/or double park to talk to their friends, but then look at me as though I shouldn’t have to make them move when I drive up. Why is this? POSTED JUNE 11, 1998 Doug S., Hampton, VA ANSWER 1: …

THE QUESTION: R330: Is it true that when fighting, Asian and Mexican gangs more often get “everyone” to jump someone, instead of doing it one-on-one? If so, why is this? POSTED JUNE 13, 1998 White male, 14, Garden Grove , CA ANSWER 1: I think it depends on the courage of the person more than their ethnicity. I have often …

THE QUESTION: R340: What is the origin to the stereotype that Hispanics are lazy? POSTED JUNE 16, 1998 Alex S., 23, Richmond, VA ANSWER 1: It’s funny, because I have heard the reverse: That white people are lazy. I guess it depends on the person. I am Mexican, and all the Hispanic people I know are very hard-working. All of …

THE QUESTION: R350: Why is it that when blacks move into a nice, middle-class neighborhood where whites live, the whites slowly move out? This is happening in my area, and I’d like to understand why, because there hasn’t been any crime or problems. POSTED JUNE 18, 1998 T. Spen, African-American, <auset2be@aol.com>, MD ANSWER 1: A house is the largest single …